A letter from (newly-installed) Pastor Jordan

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A famous pastor who mentors me (...via podcast...) put it well when he said that we should “turn our sighs into prayers.” Sighs are complicated, aren’t they? Some of them are pregnant. Others are long or heavy. Others are resigned. Others calm our nerves before a big moment.

One Adventer recounted hearing Advent sigh in early August after receiving word of Jennie and I’s embrace of this call. Here’s what they wrote:

I felt like I could collectively feel the sigh of the church as Sara gave the news.
The sigh was bittersweet in some ways as we continue to grieve the reasons for the changes in our church, but mostly it was a sigh of peace knowing that we're not alone, prayers continue to be answered, and an expectation of the continued story of the community.

Well said. The scriptures made it clear that there would be “a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccl 3:4). But what do you do when the time to mourn and the time to dance are the same time? Like a sigh... it’s complicated. It is bittersweet.

As I tried to make clear in my first sermon, your community will be a safe place for you to keep wrestling with the bitter way that fallenness falls – and has fallen – even as it will be a place for you to sip the sweet wine of Christ’s death-conquering blood, that foretaste of the fall undone, that weekly promise of heavenly reunions.

Until then, Christ’s church remains about Christ’s work, and Rob’s legacy at Advent endures. Advent lives on and thrives because Rob entrusted her to faithful shepherds. He raised up and empowered wildly gifted and diligent lay leaders like Sara, Stacey, Matt, and Brenda, along with a mature and healthy vestry. Likewise he gathered around him strong, wise, committed and willing clergy: Jeromie, Cindy, Mike, Patrick, Lisa, and Tony.

As a result, the evidence of Advent’s thriving is everywhere. Small groups are busting at the seams. Finances are very strong. Gospel Friendship Groups continue to be a place of deep belonging. Profound testimonies from The Healing Journey abound. Pastor Fahrid and his wife Monica from our sister church, Gran Pastor, in Fresnillo had an immensely encouraging time with us. Many of Advent’s men were recently driven into the wilderness to encounter Jesus... and to tattoo each other with paintball bruises. A youth group is gaining momentum. Weddings are being planned, babies are being born, baptisms are being scheduled, books are being discussed, pageants are being planned, the homeless are being cared for, the Word is being preached, the world is being prayed for, bread is being blessed, broken, and eaten, and the staff and leadership are meeting, praying, planning, and pulling in the same direction. Friends, consider him faithful who has promised! The faithful leaders Rob raised up have been and continue to press into the faithfulness and promises of God, and the signs are unambiguous: Amidst grief, God’s kingdom advances in and through Advent.

So... It’s complicated. Sorrow and joy. Mourning and dancing. Bittersweet. Grieving, yes, but thriving. From the bottom of my heart: Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. It is a weighty privilege to be your pastor, and it’s a title I hope to earn.

If we’ve not yet had a chance to connect, know that I’d love to. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

Sincerely,

Jordan+

Rector

Church of the Advent